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Document 
No. 242 



PATRIOTISM 



ADDRESS 

DELIVERED ON JUNE 21, 1918, BEFORE THE POMFRET 
SCHOOL, AT POMFRET, CONN. 

By 

HONORABLE CHARLES B. HENDERSON 

UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM NEVADA 




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PRESENTED BY MR. MOLLIS 

June 24, 1918. — Ordered to be printed 



WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMtii^T pKiiNilNG GFnCE 

1918 



V 






0, of f>* 
OCT 15 S918 



PATRIOTISM. 

[Address of the Hon. Charles B. Henderson, delivered June 21, 1918, at the Prize 
Day Exercises, Pomfret School, Pomfret, (.'onn.] 

For the past year our patriotism has been aroused to a higher 
pitch than ever before. Day by day, hour by hour, we are face to 
face with a new crisis, and our spirit responds to the call. It is, 
therefore, fitting and proper that we consider at this time the real 
meaning of patriotism. 

To be really patriotic we must love our country and believe in the 
form of Government under which we live. A national spirit of self- 
sacrifice and devotion must prevail. After all, sacrifice is never in 
vain, and devotion 'is but the means by wliich the burden is the more 
easily carried. 

Patriotism, it is said, is a state of mind. If this is true the ilmerican 
mind is in khaki to-day, and is armed in defense of our ideals. 

Webster says: "Patriotism is love of country." "Love," he says, 
"is strong affection." 

In the lives of our heroes we find the most remarkable examples of 
these definitions. In real sacrifice patriotism is best exemplified. 
The life of Guynemer, the premier ace of France, our own Maj. 
Lufbery, and many others, are personifications of this spirit. We 
see in their careers the living illustration of love and devotion to 
country. The highest attainments of civilization are not found in 
population, in riches, in the resources of a Nation, but in its manhood. 

We love America and her wonderful idealism. 

As a Nation we are but 142 years old, but in that brief span of our 
independence we have accumulated a heritage that never before fell 
to the lot of any people. Unselfishly have we used our heritage, and 
from the first have we welcomed the peoples of the earth. Brightly 
have we kept the torch of Liberty burning and its light has shown as 
a beacon for all. 

A free Government was founded upon this continent — destined to 
grow and endure. Its standards have been those of peace — and it 
has asked simple justice from the nations of the world as the only 
return for its bountiful contributions to the welfare of mankind. 

It is difficult to define Patriotism. But who has not felt its thrill ? 
How it tingles through the nerves of the body, sparkles in the eye, 
finds expression in the human face and inspires the whole soul with 
with courage and strength. It raises one from the level of ordinary 
action to deeds of unsurpassed bravery and valor. Progressive 
patriotism started the old prairie schooner Westward Ho! Pro- 
gressive patriotism blazed the trail through thick forests and over 
mountain passes; progressive patriotism settled the United States of 
America, and progressive patriotism established in this country a 
system of universal education which is the foundation of our Govern- 
ment, and to which you owe your presence here to-day. 



4 PATRIOTISM. 

And through it all justice has been our ideal. Right instead of 
might was the controlling thought. In the name of justice and 
right we drove piracy from the high seas, cattle thieves from our 
plains, and in in robbers from cur States. That same spirit will 
triun ph over tie 1 un, and democracy will bring an enduring peace 
to the world. 

Our simplest rights were suddenly disputed. Germany undertook 
to dictate our course of action. As the robber and murderer destroys 
the quiet content and security of the home, so did this power attem|)t 
to invade our rights. 

We sought by peaceful means to settle the wrongs we had sufTered. 
Our patience and tolerance were construed as cowardice. Our hu- 
mane treatment and consideration were taken as an evidence of 
weakness. We still endeavored to maintain peace after Germany 
announced her intention of sinking indiscriminately all merchant 
ships, and we made that effort by assuming armed neutrality. Our 
efforts were met by a ruthless submarine warfare. Our answer to 
this wrongful and inhuman activity on the part of Germany, which 
in itself was an act of war, was to recognize that a state of war existed 
which had been brought on by Germany herself. As a result we 
have on French soil to-day over 800,000 men, and as many more will 
go as is necessary to win this war. Win we must, and win we shall. 
But before this conflict is over the Hohenzollerns will find they made 
a fatal mistake when they deliberately treated with contemj^t the 
rights of the American people. 

We are fortunate indeed that we have a strong, determined leader 
at the head of our nation. He rules firmly. But let us pause to 
observe the simplicity that miarks the course of the President. The 
case of a few American soldiers in France, sentenced to be shot for 
sleeping at their posts, commands his interest, and executive clem- 
ency metes out m^ercy that is symbolic of our deep-rooted principles 
of justice. Such times as these require strengtl), and even sternness^ 
and while it has never been said that President Wilson rules sternly, 
it is certain that he will always rule kindly and justly. Thus we find 
justice and mercy brought into harmony with American ideals. 

We are a proud people, but our pride is justifiable; it is one of 
achievement. We are proud of the good ship Tiicl-ahoe, launched 27 
da3^s after her keel was laid; we are proud of the Eagle fleet of sub- 
marine chasers; proud of our patriotic girls and women who have 
joined the forces at home and abroad; proud of the spirit of our edu- 
cational institutions and the stars on their service flags; proud of 
the men and women who have given up business and professional 
careers to do their patriotic dut}" for Uncle Sam*; proud of our soldiers 
and marines fighting so valiantly on the soil of France, and those on 
our ovn soil preparing to carry on the fight when they arrive '^ over 
there"; proud of our sailors who are watching with such vigilance 
every wave that crosses their ocean path; proud of our American 
Red Cross, our Y. : '. C. A.", our Knights of Columbus, and our other 
lo3^al and hun.ane societies, all eagerly working toward the same 
goal with the same noble purpose in view. I^Iever have the American 
people risen to such heights of patriotism; never have they felt so 
strongly the international ties that bind them to our allies across the 
seas. 



PATRIOTISM. 5 

On every side we see the same feverish activity, the same progress 
and development. When the proper perspective can be given to all 
that has been accomplished during the last year and the mind fully 
grasps the greatness of the ta^k, the world will marvel at our 
achievements. 

Of course, we have made mistakes. It was to be expected. We 
are all huiiinii. None of us are infallible. Ikit far more im])ortant 
is the knowledge that there is an honesty of purpose backing every 
activity of our Government. Democracy nmst rule because Democ- 
racy is lighting witli a clean purpose and an honest heart for a just 
cause. 

Our President has clearly shown the distinction between the 
Airerican conce[)tion of justice and right and the German, which rests 
upon the human niockery that dominion and power determine the 
destinies of mankind. Under such a pohcy the weak nation can not 
exist — or only so long as the powerful nation |jermits. We have 
not— neither shall we, as President Wilson states it — put ourselves 
"upon the level of the very people we are fighting and affectiuir to 
des})ise. 

Tliere has })een a very perceptible change in the American national 
spirit, a reawakening of the responsibilities of a fortunate people, and 
a deeper feehng of security in the combined efforts of all. If we love 
our counti-y mu] our Government, we must hohl together. It has 
been askeil 'What did the Lord put an ocean of 3,000 nJles be- 
tween us and Euroj)e forf and the answer was, ''So that we could 
bridge it." This we are doing, and the greater the unity the broader 
and stronger tlie bridge. We ir.ust, therefore; stand with our allies 
and give them of our strength in fullest ireasure. 

Our ideals, our democracy, our patriotism, are not intangible. 
They are born of right living and clean government. For a dilTerent 
])icture let us look at Kussia and consider her deplorable plight. 
Some n^ay blame her misfortunes to the changing conditions in 
government; or the intrigue and malevolence of a Kasputin; or a 
lack of coiiesion among her many peoples, differing in their ideals, 
their (*ustoms, their manners, and their educational advantages. All 
of these no doubt contributed to her downfall^ but may we not now 
say that tlie real cause was a lack of devotion to an autocratic Govern- | 
ment : Could the Russian be expected to love a Government that 
had opjU'cssed him and Jiis ancestors? Such/ a Government could 
never raise a patriotic people. The foundations — justice and right — 
must first exist. 

Montes([uieu says ''Countries are well cmtivated, not as they are 
fertile, l>ut as they are free." The fertility of a country will hence- 
forth l;e judged by the freedom of its people. America has sounded 
the call and the v>diole Nation has responded with one accord. Labor 
has secured the fair and just earnings of its own hands, and suffrage 
in these L'nited States will be free and ecpial. \re are hohhng the 
liglited torch on hioh so its rays may be seen in the farthest corners 
of the earth. 

What have we to say about the son who has joined "the coloi's ?" 
A little more than 20 years ago he was born in an American home. 
The problems of his boyhood were solaced in a lielpful manner, and 
he contributed to their solution by his own efforts. His parents asked 
simply that he should be just and kind, honorable and industrious. 



6 PATEIOTISM. 

The doors of the pubhc school were opened to him: freedom of mind, 
freedom of speech and conscience, and freedom of rehgious thought 
were his. Will we permit this to be changed ? The response can be 
heard from every home, but the strongest and most convincing 
answer is to be seen in France to-day. 

This son was always impressed with the responsibility of doing his 
part and bearing his share of life's burdens. His Government was a 
visible Government, and its broad shelter protected his youthful days, 
just as it had protected his parents and those who came before them. 
Xow that he is a man he has answered his country's call in the spirit 
that means but one thing — Victory. 

The bonds of love were unconsciously welded between the Nation 
and that boy. This is democracy. We behold it in the real, the liv- 
ing, the actual attainment of our ideal. This ideal that actuates 
every phase of life, liberty, truth, and happiness, will never be sur- 
rendered. 

The mothers, the wives, and the sisters of our soldiers are likewise 
so nobl}^ bearing their part, in this the greatest conflict of all the 
ages. In every activity there is represented the thought of Ameri- 
can womanhood — of women who must preserve the human race. 
Womankind realizes what all this struggle means, and we may de- 
pend upon it she will continue to play her part in bringing about a 
higher state of civilization in the world. Greater than all their lov- 
ing work that is going to France and Flanders, greater than all the 
knitted garments that are gomg to our soldiers and sailoi-s, are the 
new responsibilities assumed by women in our national life. Their 
helpful spirit responds instantly. 

Through the years many people have come to our shores. Ours is 
the "melting pot" from which has come a strong, virile race. But 
some have not been tried by the fire and are not a part of our Ameri- 
can life and institutions. But these are the times that demand the 
highest standards of citizenship. And therefore this menace to our 
democratic institutions and ideals must be met, overcome, and de- 
stroyed. To accomplish this is the duty of all and the highest act 
of p^atriotism. 

Emerson, in his essa}' on Civilization, observes: '"You have seen 
a carpenter on a ladder with a broad ax chopping upward chips 
from a beam. How awkward! At what disadvantage he works! " 

We have been reading of the "waves of men" rushing on toward 
the allied forces in France. The German generals are now wonder- 
ing if these mass attacks pay, because the loss of life is so frightful. 
Germany is slow to learn its lesson, for you have only to look closer 
to discover that the Hun is on a ladder with his broad ax choppmg 
upward chips and slivers from the beam. His civilization is re- 
versed, and as Emerson observed, "How awkward! At what disad- 
vantage he works!'' 

Follow further the lines of the essayist, and we come to our part 
in the "Civilization'' of democracy in action. He says: "But see 
him on the ground, dressing his timber under him. Now, not his 
feeble muscles, but the force of gravity brings down the ax; that 
is to say, the planet itself splits his stick." 

Our enemies, led by perverse motives, are aiming their broad axs 
at the rafters, and their blows are upside down. While the elements 
work with us, Justice guides and directs our blow, and in the words 



PATRIOTISM. 7 

of our President, Justice will become ' ' the righteous and triumphant 
force which shall make right the law of the world and cast every 
selfish dominion down in the dust." 

The Pilgrim Fathers had their dream; the colonists a vision; in the 
Revolution, Hope peered through the clouds. The rays of the sun 
have shone brightly in these short generations of our national ex- 
istence upon a land cf riches and plenty — the dream and the vision 
have come true. Hope and expectancy have fulfilled their most 
cherished ambitions. They have borne fruit, and that fruit is tri- 
umphant democracy. 

Freedom and democracy will always triumph. It may take time, 
but since they represent the eternal God and the eternal right — 
to them shall come "Peace on earth, good will toward men." 

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